Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting data cartridges between cartridge libraries. A data cartridge is received by a data cartridge transport device, pivoted, and then ejected to a cartridge sleeve of a second cartridge library. In one embodiment, the data cartridge transport device includes a pivot assembly; a cartridge sleeve, mounted to the pivot assembly; a cartridge eject mechanism, operably associated with the cartridge sleeve; a drive assembly; and a clutch assembly. The clutch assembly moves between first and second positions, wherein movement of the clutch assembly to the first position engages the pivot assembly with the drive assembly, thereby enabling pivoting of the cartridge sleeve, and wherein movement of the clutch assembly to the second position engages the cartridge eject mechanism with the drive assembly, thereby enabling ejection of a data cartridge from the cartridge sleeve.

Abstract: A system for controlling the bandwidth allocated to a network connection between two nodes. The system receives a bandwidth change request, and generates and sends control commands to network switches of the connection in order to satisfy the change request. A bandwidth control interface, available over the Internet, has code for generating a display of bandwidths available for selection; code for receiving a bandwidth selection chosen from the bandwidths; and code for sending the change request to the network to adjust the bandwidth on the basis of the selection. The interface provides a bandwidth dial representation of the bandwidths that can be selected.

Abstract: A client on a network is provided with auxiliary low power logic, at the network adaptor, that is always active and simulates network traffic (e.g. Ethernet format) normally sent under control of the main client system processor(s). This logic collects client status information and reports to the network manager, even when the system CPU is powered down; information which allows the network manager to exercise broader control and perform maintenance and upgrades which would otherwise require a dialog with the user and limit off-hours maintenance and reconfiguration of the client system. The auxiliary logic also can receive and interpret commands from the network that conform to a predefined format.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product in which half of the storage space on a non-volatile storage device is used to maintain a copy of the last "known-good" copy of the operating system and on invocation by a user, restoring from this backup copy when, for example, the operating system has become corrupted due to changes made to settings or device drivers.

Abstract: A client on a network is provided with auxiliary low power logic, at the network adapter, that is always active and simulates network traffic (e.g. Ethernet format) normally sent under control of the main client system processor(s). This logic receives commands from the network manager, even when the system CPU is powered down or the system is not operational; information which allows the network manager to exercise broader control and perform maintenance and upgrades which would otherwise require service call for maintenance and reconfiguration of the client system. The auxiliary logic also can receive and interpret commands from the network that conform to a predefined format.

Abstract: An improved planar heat pipe wick structure having projections formed by micromachining processes. The projections form arrays of interlocking, semi-closed structures with multiple flow paths on the substrate. The projections also include overhanging caps at their tops to increase the capillary pumping action of the wick structure. The capped projections can be formed in stacked layers. Another layer of smaller, more closely spaced projections without caps can also be formed on the substrate in between the capped projections. Inexpensive materials such as Kovar can be used as substrates, and the projections can be formed by electrodepositing nickel through photoresist masks.

Abstract: An automatic closure assembly for a sliding panel, particularly of the screen door type, is disclosed. One or more power springs, operable in their linear ranges are mounted within a compact housing configured for ready attachment to a surface adjacent the sliding panel. The springs apply tension to a cord wound on a take-up reel within the housing. One end of the cord is screwed to the sliding panel such that as the panel is moved in an opening direction, the power spring(s) are wound in tension to apply closure forces to the panel. Different selections are provided for enabling an operator to select a plurality of different discrete tension forces to be applied by the closure assembly to the sliding panel.

Abstract: A forwarding information management system for a bridge or router is disclosed, including a method and apparatus for maintaining forwarding entries within a forwarding table. The forwarding table is allocated into forwarding entries, and the forwarding entries organized into forwarding entry sets. A set of free queues is used to manage the free space segments in the forwarding table that are not allocated into forwarding entries. Each free queue maintains pointers to free space segments of a particular size. A forwarding entry adding process creates a new forwarding entry set including a new forwarding entry, selects a non-empty free queue for free space segments large enough to hold the new forwarding entry set, and writes the new forwarding entry set one of the free space segments. Also included in the system are a forwarding entry deleting process, a learning process providing input for the forwarding entry adding process, and an aging process providing input for the forwarding entry deleting process.

Abstract: A forwarding information management system for a bridge or router is disclosed, including a method and apparatus for merging free space segments in a forwarding table. The forwarding table is allocated into forwarding entry sets and free space queues. Each forwarding entry set must be within a single contiguous block of the forwarding table memory. A set of free queues is used to manage the free space segments in the forwarding table that are not allocated into forwarding entries. Each free queue maintains pointers to free space segments of a particular size. The forwarding table becomes fragmented as forwarding entries are added. A table packing process is triggered by a predetermined trigger to merge small areas of free space into large areas of free space, making consecutive forwarding entry sets contiguous in order to combine small areas of free space into larger ones.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptive interrupt servicing is disclosed. The number of interrupts occurring within a predetermined time period is counted and stored as a value in an interrupt counter. At the end of each interrupt service, the interrupt counter value is compared to a predefined threshold value. If the value in the interrupt counter equals or exceeds the threshold value, further interrupt servicing is disabled.

Abstract: A polyurethane composition has particles of solid polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine complex evenly distributed throughout the polyurethane matrix so that the complex does not associate with the polyurethane to any appreciable extent. In one embodiment of the composition, the polyurethane is thermoplastic for coating or molding applications. In another embodiment, the composition is a polyurethane foam particularly useful as a sponge for scrubbing which provides almost instantaneous release of the complex. The sponge may be provided in a package which includes other items useful for scrubbing.

Abstract: A device is provided for deliberately distributing simultaneously over the entire vertical and/or longitudinal extend of a body of aqueous containing liquid a gelation agent for the rapid containment of contaminated aqueous liquids. The device is an elongated rigid or semi-rigid body for containing an envelope or package of material immediately dissolvable in the aqueous liquids, and which contains the gelling agent prior to liquid exposure. The device includes means for exposure of its content to the liquid, once the device is positioned in or is surrounded by the liquid. The invention contemplates a conventional suction canister having the device positioned therein for receiving contaminated body fluids.

Abstract: A tungsten bridge device for the low energy ignition of explosive and energetic materials is disclosed. The device is fabricated on a silicon-on-sapphire substrate which has an insulating bridge element defined therein using standard integrated circuit fabrication techniques. Then, a thin layer of tungsten is selectively deposited on the silicon bridge layer using chemical vapor deposition techniques. Finally, conductive lands are deposited on each end of the tungsten bridge layer to form the device. It has been found that this device exhibits substantially shorter ignition times than standard metal bridges and foil igniting devices. In addition, substantially less energy is required to cause ignition of the tungsten bridge device of the present invention than is required for common metal bridges and foil devices used for the same purpose.

Abstract: Optical energy, provided from a remote user-operated source, is utilized to initially electrically charge a capacitor in a circuit that also contains an explosion initiating transducer in contact with a small explosive train contained in an attachable housing. Additional optical energy is subsequently supplied in a preferred embodiment to an optically responsive phototransistor acting in conjunction with a silicon controlled rectifer to release the stored electrical energy through the explosion initiating transducer to set off the explosive train. All energy transfers between the user and the explosive apparatus, either for charging it up or for setting it off, are conveyed optically and may be accomplished in a single optical fiber with coding to distinguish between specific optical energy transfers and between these and any extraneous signals.

Abstract: A bending machine is provided to form a multiplicity of predetermined types of bends within several planes in elongated, heavy gauge workpieces of various sizes and shapes by pressure between a stack of dies and a pair of swingable anvil plates carried by elongated wings each of which is, in turn, swingable to adjust the distance between the anvils. Slide rails for the workpiece are readily accessible for loading and unloading. The die stack includes releasable vise-like clamps which grip the workpiece to preclude distortion during bending, and the stack can be raised or lowered to provide proper alignment of preselected die units of the stack.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for elevating a platform of the type adapted to carry workers, tools, equipment and/or material. Parallelogram boom assemblies support the platform from a mobile frame such that the platform can be raised and lowered in a level attitude. Each boom assembly comprises a compression arm and a tension arm. The two boom assemblies are interconnected by means of a floating frame and a rigid tension member which is arranged to raise and lower the upper boom assembly relative to the floating frame as the lower boom assembly is raised and lowered, respectively, relative to the mobile frame. In one embodiment the upper and lower boom assemblies lie in a horizontal orientation when in their retracted mode. In another embodiment an upstanding support carries the lower boom assembly which inclines downwardly in the retracted position and connects through a floating frame with an upper boom assembly which is formed with a zigzag shape.